Our Recent Blog Articles

30 guides to Florida criminal law and the Broward County courts, written by a Fort Lauderdale defense firm for people facing charges and their families.

Arrests & Court

What To Do If You Are Arrested in Fort Lauderdale

An arrest moves fast. Here is exactly what to do, and what not to do, from the moment police detain you until your first appearance in Broward County.

3 min read
Arrests & Court

Arrested in Fort Lauderdale While Visiting? What Out of State Visitors Need To Know

Vacations, conventions and spring trips sometimes end in an arrest. Here is how visitors can get home, handle court from out of state and protect their record.

3 min read
Arrests & Court

Do Police Need a Warrant To Search Your Phone in Florida?

Your phone holds your whole life. Here is when police in Florida need a warrant to search it, why consent matters and how phone evidence gets thrown out.

3 min read
Arrests & Court

Understanding Probation Violation in Broward County

Probation violations in Broward County can have serious legal consequences, including extended probation, hefty fines, or even incarceration. Here is how violations work and how to respond.

3 min read
Arrests & Court

The Importance of Legal Representation in Criminal Cases

Facing criminal charges can be one of the most stressful and overwhelming experiences of your life. Here is why skilled legal representation matters from the very first day.

3 min read
Arrests & Court

How To Handle Felony Charges in Broward County

Felony charges in Broward County carry severe penalties that can impact your freedom, finances, and future. Here is each step of a felony case and what you can do.

3 min read
Arrests & Court

How Bail and Bond Work in Broward County

From the bond schedule to first appearance and bondsmen, here is how getting out of jail actually works in Broward County and how a lawyer can help.

3 min read
Arrests & Court

Should You Talk to Police Without a Lawyer?

Police are trained to get statements. Here is why talking without a lawyer rarely helps, and the exact words to use to protect yourself.

3 min read
DUI & Traffic

Florida DUI Penalties for a First, Second and Third Offense

DUI penalties in Florida climb steeply with each offense. Here is a clear breakdown of fines, jail, license revocation and when a DUI becomes a felony.

3 min read
Records & Second Chances

What Is a Withhold of Adjudication in Florida?

A withhold of adjudication can keep a formal conviction off your record. Here is what it means, who can get one and the situations where it still counts.

3 min read
Records & Second Chances

How To Seal or Expunge a Criminal Record in Florida

Sealing or expunging a record can open doors to jobs and housing. Here is who qualifies in Florida and the step by step process through FDLE and the court.

3 min read
DUI & Traffic

Can You Refuse a Field Sobriety Test in Florida?

Roadside exercises are voluntary in Florida, unlike breath tests. Here is how refusal works, what officers look for and how these tests are challenged in court.

3 min read
Violent Crimes

Florida's Stand Your Ground Law Explained

Stand Your Ground can end a criminal case before trial. Here is when Florida law allows force, who loses the protection and how immunity hearings work.

3 min read
Records & Second Chances

A Guide to Pretrial Intervention in Broward County

Pretrial intervention can turn a felony arrest into dropped charges. Here is who qualifies in Broward County, what is excluded and how to apply on time.

3 min read
Violent Crimes

Served With a Domestic Violence Injunction in Florida? How To Respond

A temporary injunction can remove you from your home and take your firearms before you are heard. Here is how to respond and prepare for the hearing.

3 min read
DUI & Traffic

Driving With a Suspended License in Florida

Whether it is a ticket or a felony depends on what you knew and your history. Here is how Florida handles driving on a suspended license.

3 min read
Drug Charges

Marijuana Laws in Florida: What Is Still Illegal

Medical marijuana is legal for qualified patients, but recreational use is not. Here is what can still get you arrested in Florida and the penalties.

3 min read
Theft & Fraud

Shoplifting and Petit Theft Charges in Florida

A shoplifting charge can follow you for years. Here is how petit theft is graded in Florida, what a civil demand letter means and how cases are resolved.

3 min read
Violent Crimes

Resisting Arrest in Florida: With and Without Violence

Resisting charges are often added to other arrests. Here is the difference between the two Florida offenses and the defenses that frequently apply.

3 min read
DUI & Traffic

Boating Under the Influence in Florida

South Florida waterways are patrolled closely. Here is how BUI works in Florida, what officers can do on the water and how penalties compare to DUI.

3 min read
Arrests & Court

What Happens at an Arraignment in Broward County?

Arraignment is your first formal court date on the charges. Here is what happens, what plea to enter and why your attorney can often appear for you.

3 min read
Federal Cases

Federal vs State Criminal Charges in Florida

The same conduct can be charged by Florida or the federal government. Here is how the systems differ and why federal cases demand early, careful defense.

3 min read
Arrests & Court

How Criminal Charges Get Dismissed in Florida

Dismissal does not happen by accident. Here are the legal tools Florida defense attorneys use to get charges dropped or thrown out before trial.

3 min read
Arrests & Court

What To Do If There Is a Warrant for Your Arrest in Broward County

Ignoring a warrant usually makes things worse. Here is how to check for one in Broward County and how to handle it with the least disruption to your life.

3 min read
DUI & Traffic

Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Florida

Florida treats hit and run very seriously. Here is what the law requires after a crash and how penalties rise from property damage to death.

3 min read
Arrests & Court

Can Police Search Your Car in Florida?

Most drug and weapons cases in Broward start with a car search. Here is when police can legally search your vehicle and how illegal searches are challenged.

3 min read
Arrests & Court

How Long Does a Criminal Case Take in Broward County?

The waiting is often the hardest part. Here is a realistic look at how long misdemeanor and felony cases take in Broward County and why.

3 min read
Records & Second Chances

Can You Vote in Florida After a Felony Conviction?

Amendment 4 changed Florida law in 2019, but the rules are still confusing. Here is who can vote after a felony and how to avoid an illegal registration.

3 min read
Federal Cases

How Criminal Charges Can Affect Your Immigration Status

For noncitizens, a quick plea in Broward County can lead to deportation years later. Here is why immigration advice must come before any plea.

3 min read
Arrests & Court

10 Questions To Ask Before Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale

The first consultation is your chance to interview the lawyer. Here are the questions that reveal experience, strategy and who will really handle your case.

3 min read

Looking for a specific charge? Visit our criminal defense practice areas for penalties, defenses and next steps, or request a free consultation.